Apparatus for the electrolytic deposition of metals



April 28, 1925.

A. H. W. CLEAVE APPARATUS FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC DEPOSITION 0F METALS 5Sheets-Sh'eet 1 Filed Jail. 4. 1925 A. H. W. CLEAVE APPARATUS FOR THEELECTROLYTIC DEPOSITION OF METALS April 28, 1925.

Filed Jan. 4, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A aunt/e5 R flnrnum/LLI. L'Lmus-April 28, 1925.

- 1,555,577 I A. H. W. CLEAVE APPARATUS FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC DEPOSIT IONMETALS Filed Jan. 4, 1923 5 SheetS-Shet 5 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII "Ila ca 7%0 de Carr: er

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A ril 28, 1925.

A. H. W. CLEAVE APPARATUS FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC DEPOSITION 0F METALSFiled Jan. 4, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 er 5 5 A; & 5 a, Q 5 6 Z w m 5 r. &WI, Imps Z\ Z 6 6 m 5'5 .Jivuzmmr I April 28, 1925.

535,577 A. H.- W. CLEAVE' APPARATUS FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC DEPOSITION 0FMETALS FiledJan. 4, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I? h. MOLE/111E. A

Patented Apr. 28, 1925.

ARTHUR HAROLD WYLD CLEAVE, OF OTTAWA, ONTARIOQGANADA.

APPARATUS FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC DEPOSITION F METALS.

Application filed January 4, 1923. Serial No. 610,648.

' efiiciency in operation and greater permanency in the operated partsFurther objects are to enable the operation to be carried through in ashorter space of time and with less attention, and to re duce the amountof metals locked up in the process.

Further objects are generally to improve and simplify the constructionof the apparatus to adapt better the various parts to perform thefunctions required of them.

In its construction the invention includes a suitable jar for theelectrolyte and means for suspending the anodes therein, a rotarycathode of novel design, means for supplying current thereto whilerotating, an adjustable and automatic scraper designed to operate, onthe cathode, all as hereinafter more fully set forth and described inthe accompanying specification and drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation, half in section, of anembodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan View, on one-half of which the upper parts of thecathode, cathode carrier and the commutator are broken away.

Figure 3 is an elevation, half in section, of the cathode, cathodecarrier, commutator and driving shaft. 1

Figure 4 is an half plan view of the cathode and cathode carrier.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the jar, anode supports and scraper.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation, showing the jar anodes with supportsand the scraper.

Figure 7 is'an elevation of the commutator brushes and leads.

Figure 8 is a plan view of tor brushes and leads.

Figure 9 is a sectional elevation of the the commuta central cathodecarrier support driving shaft and drive for the latter.

Figure 10 is an elevation, half in section,

of the connection between the cathode and driving shaft. 7

Figure 11 is an elevation, half in section, the section being taken onthe line 11-11 of Figure 12.

Figure 12 is a plan view, half in section, the section being taken onthe line 1212 of Figure 9.

In the drawings, like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in all the figures.

Referring to the drawings:

A indicates the jar for the electrolyte of suitable insulating material,such as earthenware, and preferably of annular form, be- 1ng supportedon a suitable platform B. C indicates the anodes or anode plates whichare suitably supported within the jar A by suitable hooks 10 whichsuspend them from segmental supporting rails 11, the ends of which areconnected by brackets 12 to a circular connecting rail 13. Theconnecting brackets 12 as well as the hooks 10 may be convenientlyformed of copper. The connecting rail 13 may be provided at one pointwith an electrical lead 14, and its extremity maybe conveniently formedwith a slot 15 designed to receive a connector by which it may beconnected for use when the current is received from the main supplyinstead of from the next adjacent cell.

The anode plates C are suspended within the jar A, and below their lowerextremities segmental earthenware pans 16 are provided designed to catchany small particles which may drop from the anode. D indicates therotary cathode and cathode carrier comprising an inverted earthenwarejar 17, or other suitable insulating supporting member, and a pluralityof cathode plates 18 on the jar and supported by insulating strips 19thereon of wood or the like, which may be retained in position by meansof wooden bolts 20 connected to the earthenware carrier by means ofwooden nuts 21 on the inner side. The cathode strips 18 are fastened tothe insulating strips 19 by means of tacks or screws.

A convenient number of cathode plates are provided; as shown four, andall the plates are united by conducting lead memg V j 1,585,577

bers 22 of copper or the like which extend tothe commutator 22 which issupported on a wooden insulating brush 23. mounted on the sleeve 24designed to surround the central drive shaft E. The lower part of thesleeve 24 is screw-threaded and provided with an upper clamp plate 25which engages the screw-threading and a lower clamp plate 26 which issupported by a clamp nut 27 mounted on the screw-threaded portion of thesleeve 24, the said clamp plates embracing insulating material 28 suchas india rubber packing which extends between the pper and lower sidesof the jar. and the clamp plates. s

The jar is further formed with a central perforation 29 through whichthe driving shaft E and the sleeve 24 may extend. The clamp plates areunited by a suitable number of bolts 30 which extend through both platesas well as through the jar 17 and the packing 28.

During rotation, the rotary cathode, is supported by a ball bearing 31including balls 32 which run on the underside of the plate 26, beingthemselves supported in a ball race 33 on a plate 34 which is suitablysecured to a supporting bracket 35 mounted on'the platform B. Thebracket is conveniently formed with three legs 36, and its position maybe adjusted by means of set screw 37 extending through these legs andhaving heads 38 designed to bear against the inner wall 39 of the jar17, the bolts being located in adjusted position by nuts 40.

The driving shaft E is driven by a suitable motive power, that showncomprising a driving worm 41 mounted in a housing 42 on a bracket 43,the driving worm meshing with a worm wheel 44 on the lower extremity ofthe shaft, the shaft being provided with a suitable step bearing 45which receives a rounded supporting pin 46 which is inserted into thelower end of the shaft. It will be seen that the drive shaft E does notsupport the weight of the cathode which is taken by the roller bearing31 and bracket 35 as already explained. i

To'provide for transmission of rotary motlon between the shaft and 'therotating cathode. a Slot 47 is provided inthe upper end of the shaftdesigned to receive a cotter 48 which also extends through slots 49provided in the sleeve 24, the lower end of the slot 47 being below thelower ends of the slots 49 whereby the cotter will not bear. on thebottom of the slot 47, and hence none of the weight of the cathode willbe transmitted to the shaft. The cotter may be locked in position bysuitable split pins in sorted through apertures 50 provided in thecotter.

For convenience in lifting, a shackle 51 is provided at the upper end ofthe rotary cathode, being connected to the sleeve 24 by site sides ofthe commutator, which connect eye-bolts 61 on one supporting block 55with hook bolts 57 on the opposite block 55. The conducting leads aremounted on the arms 57, being held in position by suitable clips 62. Thear ms 57 are connected intermediate of their length by a connecting bar63 one end of which is suitably bolted to one arm and the other'endprovided with a slot which engages with a bolt on the other arm. It willbe seen that, when the slotted end of the Lconnecting'arm is slippedfrom the bolt and the springs 60 disengaged, the brushes may be freelyaway from the commutator, the arms 57 turning about the pivoting point58. 7

During rotation the cathode is designed to be automatically scraped by ascraper F which includes a flexible resilient scrapmg strip or edge 64of rubber or the like supported from angularly set wooden plates 65, theupper extremity of which is connected to a shaft 66 which extendsthrough a supporting bearing 67, and may be locked in angular adjustedposition by means of a wing or other nut 68, the bearing 67 beingsupported by an arm 69 which leads to a sleeve 70 fitted with asquarehole for enaging with the square boss on the standard 71 whichsupports it. The sleeve 7 O is held in position by a supporting pin 72which extends through it and which is screwthreaded, the sleeve beinglocked in adjusted. position by a convenient or other nut 73 on the pin7 2. 7

One of the jars or pans 16 are located below the edge of the scraper Fso that the material scraped may be collected in' the same and removedat intervals from the same. The pan 16 is held temporarily in positionby means of wooden nuts 74, attaching the same to a vertically extendingsupport 75, at either end. a

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the scraper may be readilyadjusted in position, and by adjustment, in the position of the scrapingedge, the thickness of the silver which is allowed to grow on thecathode may be regulated which will reduce the space between the anodesand cathodes, and consequently regulate the resistance of the cell.

In operation, the anode and cathode plates being set in position and thejar a being filled with electrolyte, the current 1S appllied and thecathode rotated continuous y.

Experience has shown that a rotary cathode of this character has greatlyincreased efliciency for the electrolytic refining of silver such as ispractised in mints and refineries. It also eflects a reduction of themetal locked up in the process, by reason of the increased speed atwhich the operation takes place. It is possible with it to use a highamperage density per square foot with low cell resistance.

The apparatus occupies small space, and, by reason of the automaticnature of the scraper, a minimum amount of manual attention is required.The arrangement of anode and cathode causes the current to pulsate whichproduces a loose deposit on the cathode, which may be readily removed bythe india rubber scraper without injury to the cathode. i

As many changes could be made in the above construction and manyapparently widely different embodiments of my invention within the scopeof the claims, constructed without departing from the spirit or'scopethereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the accompanyingspecification and drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Improved apparatus for the electrolytic deposition of metalscomprising in combination, a jar, a plurality of fixed anodes suspendedin the jar, a rotary cathode, a cathode carrier adapted to rotate in ahorizontal plane, means for supplying current to the anodes, means forrotating the cathode including a vertical shaft, a cotter and slotconnection between the vertical shaft and the cathode carrier, and anautomatic scraper operating on the cathode as and for the purposespecified.

2. Improved apparatus for the electrolytic deposition of metalscomprising in combination, a jar, a plurality of anodes suspended in thejar, a rotary cathode, a cathode carrier in the form of an invertedearthenware jar, means for supplying current to the anodes, means forrotating the cathode including a vertical shaft, a sleeve for thecathode carrier in a cotter and slot connection between the sleeve andthe vertical shaft whereby the cathode is rotated in a horizontal plane,an automatic adjustable scraper operating in the cathode during rotationas and for the purpose specified.

3. Improved apparatus for the ,electrolytic deposition of metalscomprising in combination, a jar, a plurality of anodes. suspended inthe jar, a rotary cathode, a cathode carrier adaptedto rotate in ahorilytic deposition of metals comprisin in combination, a jar, aplurality of fixed anodes suspended in the jar, a rotary cathode, acathode carrier adapted to rotate in a horizontal plane, means forsupplying current to the anodes, means for rotating the cathodeincluding a vertical shaft, a slot in the vertical shaft, a sleeve forthe cathode carrier, a slot in said sleeve so arranged that the loweredge of said slot is above the lower edge of the slot of the drivingshaft whereby the weight of the cathode carrier is supportedirrespective of the shaft and an automatic adjustable scraper operatingon the cathode during rotation.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, in which the rotating cathode issupported on an adjustable bracket mounted on a platform carrying theelectric light jar to relieve the driving shaft of weight.

6. Improved apparatus for the electro lytic deposition of metalscomprising in combination, a jar, a plurality of anodes suspended in thejar, a rotary cathode, a

cathode carrier adapted to rotate in a horizontal plane, means forsupplying current to the anodes, means for rotating the cathodeincluding a vertical shaft, not attached to the cathode, but driving itthrough a cotter and slot connection in a horizontal plane, an automaticscraper operating on the cathode during rotation, and a scraping member,a standard supporting the same, an angularly adjustable arm extendingfrom the standard tothe scraper, and means for angularly adjusting thescraper with respect to the arm.

7. Improved apparatus for the electrolytic deposition of metalscomprising in combination, a .jar, a plurality of anodes suspended inthe jar, a-rotary cathode, a I

cathode carrier adapted to rotate in a horizontal" plane, means forsupplying current to the anodes, means for rotating the cathodeincluding a vertical shaft, not attached to the cathode, but driving itthrough cotter and slot connection in a horizontal plane, a segmentalconnecting member, and segmental conductors extending from theconnecting member to the anodes, and an automatic scraper operating onthe cathode during rotation, as and for the'purpose specified.

8. Improved apparatus for the electrolytic deposition of metalscomprising in combination, a jar, a plurality of anodes suspended in thejar, a rotary cathode, a cathode carrier adapted to rotate in ahorizontal plane, means for supplying current to the anodes, means forrotating the cathode including a vertical shaft, not attached to thecathode, but driving it 'combination, a. jar, a plurality of anodessuspended in the ar, a rotary cathode, a cathode carrier adapted torotate in a horizontal plane, means for supplying current to the anodes,means for rotating the cathode including a vertical shaft, not attachedto the cathode, but driving it through cotter and slot connection in ahorizontal plane, and an automatic adjustable scraper operating on thecathode during rotation, and a removable pan beneath the' scraper, asand for the purpose s ecified.

10. Improved apparatus for t e electrolytic deposition of metalscomprising in combination, a jar, a plurality of anodes suspended in thejar, a rotary cathode, a cathode carrier adapted to rotate in ahorizontal plane, means for supplying current to the anodes, means forrotating the cathode including a vertical shaft, not attached to thecathode, but driving it through cotter and slot connection in ahorizontalplane, a sleeve surrounding the shaft having clamping platesengaging the cathode carrier, and an automatic. scraper operating on thecathode during rotation, as and for the purpose specified.

11. Improved apparatus for .the electrolytic deposition ofmetalscomprising in combination, a jar, a plurality of anodes ususpended in the jar, a rotary cathode, a cathode carrieradapted'torotate in a horizontal plane, means for supplying current tothe anodes,'means' for rotating the cathode including a vertical shaft,not attached to the cathode, but driving it through cotter and slotconnection in a horizontal plane, and a commutatoron the cathode carrierhavingv suitable commutator brushes and leads, and an automatic scraperoperating on the cathode during rotation, as and for the purposespecified.

12. Improved apparatus for the electro lytic deposition of metalscomprising in combination, a jar, a plurality of anodes suspended in thejar, a rotary cathode, a

cathode carrier adapted to rotate in a hori-- zontal plane, meansforsupplying current to the anodes, means for rotating the cathodeincluding a vertical shaft, not attached to the cathode, but driving itthrough a loose coupling in a horizontal plane, and a commutator on thecathode carrier having suitable commutator brushes and leads, and anautomatic scraper operating on the cathode during rotation, pivoted armssupporting the brushes and spring means for retaining the-brushes incontact with the commutator.

13. Improved apparatus for the electrolytic deposition of metalscomprising in combination, a jar, a plurality of anodes suspended in thejar, a cathode carrier comprising an insulating; supporting member,plates on the supportingmember, a sleeve, clamping plates "on the sleeveembracing the supporting member, a commutator, eonducting membersextending from the commutator member to the cathode plates, a drivingshaft, a' cotter and slot connection between the driving shaft and thecathode carrier, means for rotating the shaft, as and for the purposespecified.

- 14. Improved "apparatus for the electrolytic deposition of metalscomprising in combination, a jar, a plurality of anodes suspended in thejar, a cathode carrier, comprising an insulating supporting member,plates on the supporting member, a sleeve, clamping plates on the-sleeveembracing the supporting member, a commutator, conducting membersextending from the commutator member to the cathode (plates, a drivingshaft, a loose coupling between the driving shaft and the cathodecarrier, means for rotating the shaft, and an automatic scraper ioperating on the cathode during rotation.

15. Improved apparatus for the electrolytic deposition of metalscomprising in combination, a jar,'a plurality of anodes suspended in thejar, a cathode carrier comprising an insulating supporting member,plates on the supporting member, a sleeve, clamping plates on the sleeveembracing the supporting member, a commutator, conducting membersextending from the commutator member to the cathode plates, a drivingshaft, a cotter and slot connection between the driving shaft and thecathode carrier, means for rotating the shaft and a supporting brackethaving a bearing engaging the underside of one of the clamping plates.

l'tlfImproved apparatus for the electrolytic deposition of metalscomprising in combination, a jar, a plurality of fixed anodes suspendedin the jar, a rotary cathode, a cathode carrier adapted to rotate in ahorizontal plane, means for supply ng current to the anodes, means forrotating macaw? about a vertical axis, cathodes on the carrier, and apivotally mounted angularly adjustable scraper adapted to operate on thecathode-s during rotation.

18. Apparatus of the character described, comprising in combination, ajar, a cathode carrier adapted to turn about a vertical axis, acathodecarrier thereon, anodes suspended inthe jar, an adjustable scraperdesigned to operate on the cathode, and a. removable segmentalpan'beneath the scraper.

19. Improved apparatus of the character described, comprising incombination, a jar, a cathode carrier mounted to turn about a verticalaxis, asegmental anode support, a plurality of anodes suspended fromsuch support in the jar, a plurality of cathodes mounted on the cathodecarrier, a scraper adapted to operate on the cathodes during rotation.

20. Improved apparatus of the character described, comprising incombination, a jar, a cathode carrier mounted to turn about a verticalaxis, a segmental anode support, a plurality of fixed anodes suspendedfrom such support in the jar, a plurality of cathodes mounted on thecathode carrier, a scraper adapted to operate on the cathodes duringrotation, a plurality of segmental pans provided beneath the anodes andscraper.

21. Apparatus of the character described,

comprising an annular jar, a cathode carrier adapted to turn about avertical axis, and

designed t6 be removable by lifting ver tically, a plurality of cathodescarried by the cathode carrier and dripping into the jar,

a vertically extending driving shaft, connecting means extending betweenthe driving shaft and cathode carrier designed to cause the carrier torotate with the shaft Without causing the weight of the cathode carrierto be borne by the shaft.

23. Apparatus for the electrolytic deposition of metals in which therotating cathode is in the form of an insulating member having mountedthereon a plurality of cathode plates supported in position byinsulating strips.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand,

ARTHUR HAROLD WILD CLEAVE.

